Some Blue Machins

[Phil]

I'm a little confused about the above Machins.

Using the Steiner Pages it lists the 4p Machin as Greenish Blue, Bright Greenish Blue and Prussian Blue as the colors. It further classifys each cor as either type A, B or C.
I don't know if it's apparent in the picture, but the Machin on the left seems to have a a slightly greener tint to it. Furthermore it has appears to be lithographed  and perf of 15x14 (if I'm correct in my observation).

The problem is, I can't find anything that corresponds to the colors Steiner uses. I think the Machin on the left is a type C Prussian Blue, but I'm not sure. It doesn't look Prussian to me, it looks greenish. And as far as the one on the right, I have no idea what kind of blue it is, but I'm sure it's a type C as well.
Is there anything that gives a more definitive description of stamp colors I can use? 

[khj]

Steiner pages are based on the Scott catalog. For Type C, Scott has the colors listed as: bright greenish blue, bright blue, Prussian blue.

Therefore, there is an error in the color listing on your Steiner page. I don't have access to my Steiner pages right now. You should check his website to see if there has been an update/correction; if not, perhaps email and bring it to his attention.

I'm bad with colors. But based on what I see on my screen, your stamps are both Type C, bright greenish blue (left) and bright blue (right).

[khj]

I don't have my Stanley Gibbons catalog with me, so I cannot give you the SG colors.

[Phil]

Yes, I agree they are "C". The narrow 4 gives that away.
There is a site somewhere that brings all the catalog colors together. but of course I couldn't find it.

[alyn]

According to Adminware (adminware.ca/machin/m_dec.htm) the main colours for the 4p Machin are:

• rust brown;
• turquoise; and
• cobalt blue

Based on the scan you have provided I would go with the Turqouise for the lighter coloured version. More info at: adminware.ca/machin/m004t.htm.

The other I would classify as the cobalt colour. You can get more information for that one at adminware.ca/machin/m004b.htm.

All the best,

[Phil]

alyn

Yes I saw that. But the problem is that Steiner uses bright greenish blue, bright blue and Prussian blue for the colors.
And the one on the left.... after further examination, it really looks to me like it's lithography printing, but I could be wrong. The only listing for a 4p type "C" lithograph is Prussian Blue by Steiner.
How can I tell the difference between Lithograph and Photograuve?

I've been looking at the "smoothness" of the numerals. Is there another way to determine?

[alyn]

If the Steiner pages use years you just match the issue dates or cross reference them to what is in Scott

[Butterfly]

Just looking at the scan I would go with greenish blue and bright blue, going from left to right. Prussian blue is usually a darker blue.
The original pigment responsible for the name prussian blue is iron cyanide polymer, which has an extremely strong blue color, so very little of the pigment is needed to get a very deep blue.

[darkormex]

Nov 13, 2014 20:07:49 GMT -5 Phil said:

alyn

Yes I saw that. But the problem is that Steiner uses bright greenish blue, bright blue and Prussian blue for the colors.
And the one on the left.... after further examination, it really looks to me like it's lithography printing, but I could be wrong. The only listing for a 4p type "C" lithograph is Prussian Blue by Steiner.
How can I tell the difference between Lithograph and Photograuve?

I've been looking at the "smoothness" of the numerals. Is there another way to determine?

Phil,  I would suggest looking at this page on the adminware machin website...http://adminware.ca/machin/m_var.htm

About a 1/3 of the way down the page there is an explanation of the two printing methods, both lithography and photogravure and how to identify them.  I use a good magnifier and look at the edges, curves and corners of the numerals to make my determination regarding printing method and it is usually pretty easy to determine once you get a good look.

While color is important in determining which varieties you have, I would suggest you also look closely at the numeral 4 as well to help you determine whether it is the a, b or c variety of this particular machin.  With the printing method and the size, shape of the numeral determined I think you can eliminate a number of varieties from consideration. Do you own or have access to a Scott Catalog?

[cbavier]

Phil not to get off subject. My ignorance is coming out but . What is a Machin?

[darkormex]

cbavier, Arnold Machin is the name of the designer of the stamps pictured at the beginning of this thread. These QEII definitives are very collectible in all of their varieties. They are generally referred to as "machins".

[cbavier]

Thanks. I tried to find it on a couple different web sites that define stamp collecting terms but to no avail.

[MikeC99]

cbavier, try this link to Linns Glossary of Philatelic Terms: www.linns.com/reference/terms/terms.aspx

[Phil]

Nov 14, 2014 9:00:45 GMT -5 cbavier said:

Thanks. I tried to find it on a couple different web sites that define stamp collecting terms but to no avail.

Don't feel bad. I've done a search for "machins" and Google wants to change the spelling every time.
Here's a site www.adminware.ca/machin.htm
Here's some downloadable pages to make an album: www.adminware.ca/machin/m_album.htm
I started collecting them because they are very collectable with literally hundreds of varieties.

[kacyds]

Found this, hopefully this can help....

www.adminware.ca/machin/m_color.htm